大象传媒

Recorded on Thursday 26 November, the 大象传媒 Big Band along with 3 of today's leading jazz vocalists; Liane Carroll, Claire Martin and Ian Shaw perform a unique musical tribute to the 20th Century's greatest interpreter of popular song at Sage Gateshead

In a career spanning some 60 years Frank Sinatra set the standards, defined and in many cases redefined 'the great American songbook'. From his early days with the swing era big bands of Harry James and Tommy Dorsey to his sold out stadium tours of the 1970's and 80's, Ol' Blue Eyes laid down the musical route that his contemporaries would follow, and in the process created a unique sound and style which remains hugely influential in today's world of music.

In this special performance to mark his forthcoming Centenary, the 大象传媒 Big Band and their guests explore the musical landscape of Frank's world with classic versions of the songs he made famous. These include Brazil, In The Still Of The Night, Only The Lonely, Come Fly With Me, One For My Baby, In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning and All Or Nothing At All. And taking a cue from his pioneering spirit of creativity and never ending quest for innovation with his favourite collaborators; arrangers Nelson Riddle, Billy, May and Gordon Jenkins, there will be new settings of a number of Sinatra classics heard for the first time in this concert. These include One For My Baby, It's A Lonesome Old Town and Witchcraft which have been arranged by some of today's most talented big band writers. These include veteran Hollywood composer Patrick Williams, the Guildhall School of Music's Head of Jazz, Malcolm Edmonstone, the director of Hamburg's NDR Big Band, Joerg-Achim Keller, and leading jazz trombonist Mark Nightingale who also directs the 大象传媒 Big Band in this performance.